It’s all starting to make sense in my head now even if I don’t have all the answers yet. “They don’t let enemies sit at their table, which means…”
“He’s a friend,” Caleb says.
“Or an ally,” Ben says.
“Is Vitto involved?” Massimo asks.
I shake my head. “The guy is a womanizing playboy masquerading as amafioso, but he’s not dirty. I’d stake my life on it. He doesn’t know about Ferraro’s gambling problem or the cartel debt. I haven’t found a shred of evidence linking D’Onofrio to the Sinaloa cartel.”
“We have to assume Ferraro was working with Cruz on the ground in Miami for the cartel,” Volpe says before taking a sip of his water.
“I don’t like making assumptions,” Massimo says. “We need concrete evidence to go after Ferraro.”
“How much does he owe?” Joshua asks.
“Twelve mil is what I’ve heard.”
“How the fuck does an underboss in one of our wealthiest territories get himself into so much debt?” Disbelief threads through Pagano’s tone.
“Because he’s a fucking idiot.” I remove my tie and toss it down on the table.
Caleb smirks in my direction.
“Is this why you were asking me about his wife?” Pagano adds, and I want to pump him full of bullets because I asked him to keep that between us.
Massimo cocks his head to one side, staring at me.
“I’m doing my due diligence on the fucker, exploring every possible angle,” I say, avoiding looking at my best friend as I deliberately omit the largest part of the truth. “His son and heir recently came to my attention, and I’m going to look into Cesco too because he’s an ambitious little shit who could buy and sell his papa.”
“What about the wife?” Our president drills me with a look.
“I’m still checking her out.”Literally.I inwardly cringe.
“So why are you here?” Massimo asks, applying silent pressure because he suspects I’m hiding something.
“I have things to attend to in the city, but I’ll return to Miami next week, and I’ll make some calls after we’re done here. Get a few guys to shadow Dominic and Cesco and see what that throws up.”
“You being away for longer than usual could be a good strategy,” Cristian says, frowning at the screen of his cell phone as it lights up.
“They might be keeping their noses clean while you’re there,” Joshua agrees. “Afraid you’ll find out what they’re up to. Could be why you haven’t found anything in months.”
“You should stay away for an extended period,” Caleb says, struggling to hide his grin before he bites into an apple. “Let’s give them enough rope to hang themselves,” he adds over a mouthful of fruit.
Around the table, everyone nods, and I can’t believe it worked out in my favor. I’m sweating bullets because I’ve never kept anything from Massimo before, and this isn’t sitting right with me. I don’t like deceiving him, but I can’t tell him about Valentina. He’ll be furious because it’s a complete asshole move, and if it comes out, it’ll weaken our rep. Especially if it turns out Dominic is betraying hisfamigliaand everythingLa Cosa Nostrastands for in the US.
“D’Onofrio needs to be replaced,” Ben says, getting up to make himself a coffee. “You’ve given him enough time, and he hasn’t stepped up to the plate.”
“I don’t think he wants to,” I admit. “I think he’s waiting for us to step in and appoint another don. His heart isn’t in it.”
“His father would be so disappointed in him.” Volpe joins Ben at the coffee station.
“Is there anyone competent enough to replace him?” Massimo asks.
I nod. “Davide Gallo would make an excellent don though Vitto will resist his appointment. They hate one another though I haven’t discovered why yet.”
“When you return to Miami, get closer to Gallo.” Massimo taps his pen off the arm of his chair. “Subtly sound him out.”
“Will do.”
